Yellowstone may be world famous now, but back in the early 19th century, the first American to discover it was written off a as a madman. John Colter was a former explorer with Lewis and Clark, and the world couldn't believe that the hot springs and geysers he was describing were real. It actually took 50 years for an organized expedition to fully explore the area, and they were certainly stunned to find that the legends of fire and brimstone were true. In 1872, it was protected as the America's first National Park. Every inch of this natural wonderland is worth exploring, from its geysers and hot springs to its canyons and forests.
One of the park's most iconic features, Old Faithful is a geyser that launches boiling hot water over 100 feet into the air several times a day. The amount of time in between eruptions varies, but the NPS is good about posting predicted times in most buildings, but it usually happens about 17 times a day, so you have plenty of chances to see it happen. It can get crowded, so get there early for a good spot.
Designed by Robert Reamer, the Old Faithful Inn was built in waves, starting with the Old House that makes up the lobby and guest rooms. In the center of the seven story tall gabled lobby is an unforgettable 500-ton, 85-foot tall stone fireplace that reaches up the hight of the building and looks like something right out of "Game of Thrones." The Inn is, for obvious reasons, the most requested lodging in Yellowstone National Park and the 327 rooms are open for booking from early May until mid-October. The Old Faithful Inn also offers daily tours for anyone not wanting to cough up the dough, but who still want to see inside the awesome nationally historic building. It's one of America's most iconic hotels so if you do have the chance to spend the night while visiting Yellowstone National Park, it's absolutely worth it!
Inside the park, your main options for dining are inside the lodges. The Old Faithful Inn has one of the coolest, most historic-looking dining rooms, but the menu is far from old-school and stuffy. They offer vegan options alongside wild game, and a buffet as well. TIP: Try the spaghetti and bison meatballs.
Morning Glory is a hot spring that's famous for its unusual colors, caused by bacteria that inhabit the water. However, over the years, it's changed colors thanks to vandalism and pollution, it used to be almost entirely blue. It's still one of the park's most unusually beautiful features, though.
Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in America. At nearly 400 feet wide and over 100 feet deep, Grand Prismatic's size is certainly impressive...but it's the rainbow coloring that really make this spring stunning. Various bacteria around the outside edges of the pool cause the striking effect. This is what bucket lists were made for.
The hike along Fountain Paint Pots Trail is super easy, it's only about a half a mile long loop, and it takes you past some wild mud pots and fumaroles. It's especially nice if you're with kids, etc. since it's short and on a boardwalk...plus the mysteriously bubbling mud is always interesting for kids to see.
The coolest features of Yellowstone aren't all geothermal, and the imposing waterfall in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a great example of this. The Yellowstone River tumbles down two waterfalls in this 24-mile-long canyon that at points is nearly a mile wide. It's an incredibly popular wonder to photograph. TIP: Head to Inspiration Point for a gorgeous photo of the canyon in all its glory.
The best time of year to visit Yellowstone National Park: There's really no bad time to visit Yellowstone. During the winter, some roads and lodges close, but the park is no less beautiful covered in snow, and it's nice to kind of have the place to yourself. Spring and fall mean beautiful colors, and summer is, of course, always incredibly popular. But, if you plan to visit between May and September, make sure to plan and book everything well in advance.
